The “Entourage Effect” and Broad Spectrum Hemp Extraction
Cannabidiol is the molecule that is abbreviated as CBD. It can be extracted from either the marijuana or hemp plant. Here at Doc D’s, we only use agricultural USA-grown hemp. Unlike the THC found in marijuana plants, CBD is non-intoxicating so it doesn’t give you a “high” that may affect or alter perception. In general, there are more than 100 naturally occurring cannabinoids found in the hemp plant in addition to CBD, as well as terpenes and flavonoids. Terpenes are fragrant oils that bind to receptors in the human body, and flavonoids are a group of phytonutrients that serve as cell messengers. All of those compounds have their own health-promoting benefits and they all work together to produce the “Entourage Effect”, a term coined by the scientists who studied them. An Entourage Effect: Inactive Endogenous Fatty Acid Glycerol Esters Enhance 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol Cannabinoid Activity
Research is still ongoing concerning the various health benefits of all these compounds, but we do know that the more of these compounds, the better. Our extraction process produces an extract that is called “Broad Spectrum” because it removes all the THC, but keeps all the rest of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids to provide the all-important “entourage effect”.
The process of extraction we use at Doc D’s is (Carbon Dioxide) CO2 extraction and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers CO2 a safe extraction method for these reasons:
Safe for Consumption: CO2 does not pose a danger to human health.
Effective: CO2 extraction produces very high yields of various plant compounds, meaning few cannabinoids and terpenes end up being wasted because it doesn’t damage the hemp plant during the process. Keeping those all-important cannabinoids safe and readily available to be made into medicine.
Recyclable: CO2 can be used over and over again, minimizing waste. It’s also friendly to the environment because it’s non-toxic.
